The meditative power of knitting

This isn’t the first time I have written about knitting. And, usually when I do, I mention the article that I read, now years ago, in the Financial Times about the health benefits of knitting, suggesting that knitting can lower one’s blood pressure and create a sense of relaxation, the same sensation experienced through practicing yoga or walking. As a repetitive task it allows one to exercise both physical and cognitive skills.

My mother was a master knitter. When she was newly married and had stopped teaching, she worked in Myrtie Baker’s Yarn Store on Main Street in Littleton. Her collection of vintage knitting books was so large it is now in the library at Harrisville Designs in Harrisville, New Hampshire.

Although I can’t recall when or how I learned to knit, I always knew my mother was there to help. I think it was easier for her to assemble one of my sweaters from the

various pieces, sleeves, front and back, then to try and teach me how to pick-up stitches around the neck or use the mattress stitch to seam the sweater. She often knit hats, mittens, and sweaters with intricate designs, but never tried to teach me how to hold the yarn or figure out how to read the small dots in a grid that is the pattern.

During the pandemic, after she died, I picked up knitting again. What a revelation.

Why didn’t I ask her to spend more time teaching me more about the techniques?

Now I’m left with YouTube tutorials and the guidance of someone in a yarn shop.

That’s why I’m looking forward to spending a Saturday in May at Harrisville Designs learning to knit Norwegian mittens. The instructor, Donna Kay is an accomplished designer and knitter, and she is going to teach us the history and intricate techniques of knitting Norwegian mitten patterns. According to the workshop description we will learn about how to manage tangle-free, 2-color stranded knitting, chart reading, thumb gussets, top shaping, and blocking.

In anticipation of the workshop, I decided to try and knit mittens on four double-pointed needles. After several weeks of practicing, I don’t seem to be making very much progress. I’ve decided that at least I can learn how to make mittens in a single color. The thought of creating two mittens with an intricate pattern that look the same is probably placing a bar way beyond my ability.

Then last week I received an event notice from Stanford University with a program around what one can learn about math by knitting. That you can, in the description of the workshop, “play with geometry to grow your own crochet coral reef.” This, I thought, might be taking my knitting to an entirely different level I’m not quite ready for.

I love Harrisville, New Hamsphire and just being there will probably lower my blood pressure. But I’m not so certain there won’t be moments of complete frustration as I attempt two strands of yarn and a pattern.

In walking meditation, you focus on your steps, letting everything else go. Knitting is the same: knit one, purl one, knit one, purl one. Thoughtfully and with focus one stitch at a time. That will be my mantra when I’m in the workshop at Harrisville.

If you have a pattern or a knitting story you would like to share, please send it to me at eh@elizabethhoward.com.

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Elizabeth Howard is the host of the Short Fuse Podcast, found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or through the Arts Fuse. Her career intersects journalism, marketing, and communications. “Ned O’Gorman: A Glance Back,” a book she edited, was published in May 2016. She is the author of “A Day with Bonefish Joe,” a children’s book, published by David R. Godine. You can send her a note at: eh@elizabethhoward.com.